The PS Canberra was partially submerged after an incident on Thursday.
The mission to save one of Echuca’s tourist icons has begun, with salvage crews on scene at the Murray River.
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Riverine Herald journalists observed the paddle steamer with a section of its starboard side partially submerged to the south of the Old Echuca Moama bridge around 11.30am on Thursday, September 3.
Victoria Police officers arrived on the scene shortly afterwards and were replaced by members of the NSW Police Force at around 12.05pm.
Murray River Paddlesteamers confirmed that the PS Canberra struck a submerged log, leading the vessel to start taking on water.
No passengers were on board at the time, and the boat’s crew members secured the vessel.
No injuries were reported.
Send it Marine managing director Steven Walsh said the process of salvaging the ship was still in the planning stage.
“It’s not clear how many boats we’ll need, or how we’ll start,” Mr Walsh said.
“There’s no textbook way to do these things.”
Road access to the boat has been closed to the public, and fencing will remain on Sawmill Track near the old Echuca-Moama Bridge throughout the operation.
NSW Marine units inspecting the scene around 12.20pm on Friday.
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